One hundred and forty-nine NFL Regional Combine standouts were on the sidelines the first week of the 2017 preseason. While many of these pioneers were settled into their roles for the upcoming season, others were not taking any chances. When the opportunities presented themselves, these RC gems were ready to show their mettle.

At first glance, Los Angeles Chargers rookie linebacker Nigel Harris appears to be in the wrong position, since he looks like a wide receiver. However, when he gets his hands on an opponent, his position is no longer in question.

Feelings were mutual between the Arizona Cardinals and their gems from the NFL Regional Combine platform. The Cardinals wanted to see what the RC athletes could do, and the RC athletes were eager to show their skill sets in the Hall of Fame game against the Dallas Cowboys.

In football, transitioning from one position to another is not a walk in the park. The inability to make those transitions in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business of the NFL has ended careers.

IRVING, Texas – In front of a tired group of NFL administrators, executives and all of the NFL officials, Clint Bruce addressed the crowd in his jeans and a t-shirt, and instantly refreshed the room with his unique style of making fun of himself.

IRVING, Texas – To keep pace with the continuous growth of talents on the NFL gridiron, NFL Football Operations booster their officials’ roster to strengthen their awareness on the field, due to the speed and tricks of the game. Eight new officials will make their debuts this season, but they are not first year officials.

IRVING, Texas – The naked eye does not always tell the full truth. Was the player pushed, accidentally tripped or purposely fell into his opponent? The NFL Caretakers battle with those thoughts in live speed and they are using the clinic to slow the game to understand the full truth.

IRVING, Texas – Over time, fans loosen up towards NFL players as the league and media outlet humanized them as men with families and personal everyday cares. The NFL Caretakers are no different. The men and women who blows the whistle to keep the game in bounds deserves to have their stories told as well so the disrespect towards them can be lessen.

IRVING, Texas – In a small conference room with well over a 100 years of officiating knowledge being bestowed onto 31 potential NFL Caretakers, the transparency was clear as laughter was the tempo of the conversation until reality settled. The journey to dawn the stripes of a NFL official is just as challenging as becoming a player. The message was simple, but the task is not.

IRVING, Texas – The game of football is important to its players, coaches and involved administrative personnel. The officials take the urgency of the game to its highest level of importance, and the NFL Caretakers raise the standards each year as the game’s leader in safety and competitive balance.

By: Barry Barnes, Founder IRVING, Texas - Over time, fans loosen up towards NFL players as the league and media outlet humanized them as men with families and personal every day cares. The NFL Caretakers…

By: Barry Barnes, Founder Fresh off experimenting with on-the-field scenarios and the implementation of the new rules, the NFL Caretakers took to the turf for the 2016 NFL season with high expectations…